SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following Security Council press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was read out today by Council President Peter Burian ( Slovakia):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement on 5 February 2007 of the formation of the new Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga. They encouraged this Government to tackle urgently the many challenges that the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to face, in particular concerning security issues, governance, national reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainable economic and social development, which is key to long-term stability. They recalled the importance of the Government and all Congolese people and political actors working side by side to address these challenges.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the clashes that took place in recent days in the province of the Bas-Congo, at the very time when the new institutions are being installed and when the country must strive towards peace consolidation and reconstruction.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of lives caused by these violent clashes, and called upon all Congolese leaders and political actors to promote a peaceful resolution. They encouraged the national authorities to investigate these incidents and to provide the appropriate assistance to the victims and their families, and invited the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to extend its support in this regard.

The members of the Security Council called on the security forces to respect human rights and refrain from the use of excessive force while carrying out their responsibility of maintaining law and order.

The members of the Security Council called on all political parties to refrain from the use of violence and to pursue the settlement of political disputes through dialogue and legal means.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need for the international community to continue to provide support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards the attainment of durable post-conflict reconstruction and sustainable development of the country.

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